Actor Swaraj Barik Turns Director With ‘Frus 2’

Actor Swaraj Barik Turns Director With ‘Frus 2’

The lockdown has unlocked another creative potential in Swaraj Barik with the young Ollywood hero debuting as a director for a short film ‘Frus 2’. Besides, he has also written the story and screenplay.

Made jointly under the banners of ‘Kuhu Cine Flicks’ and ‘Swaraj Barik Films’, the short film has many popular Ollywood names associated with it. While filmmaker Tapas Sargharia is the creative head, Saumitra Palai has composed the music. The sound design has been done by Ajesh Mishra and it has been edited by well-known Ollywood editor Rajesh Dash.

According to Swaraj, he couldn’t have imagined to afford such big names from Ollywood for his maiden short film. However, he added, “They have always shown their love and support for me, and that’s the reason why they agreed to work for this film. And I am grateful to all of them.”

Talking about the idea of turning into a director, Swaraj told My City Links, “When I was in Class 3, I started shooting with mobile phones taking my friends along with me. From a very early age, I started doing plays, writing stories for plays and sometime directing too. So I feel the director in me was born a long ago. Although I knew it before, but while making this film, I realized how important it is to be a director’s actor, otherwise the visualization of the director couldn’t be seen on screen. So it’s like the first step for an aspiring actor, who aims to be a good actor.”

Produced by Subhendu Kumar Sahu, ‘Frus 2’ revolves around the story of true friendship during hard times. “Through this film, I wanted to convey the message that we have to tolerate the pain of today for the sake of tomorrow. Who knows, today’s hopes and aspirations may change our tomorrow,” Swaraj said.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the film, he revealed, “During this lockdown, I came across several real life incidents, which influenced me to do this short film. I want to reveal here that I have a friend who was earning from teaching village children, but he lost his work due to pandemic; I have two friends who were living far from home for a living. This story has been inspired for them, I have only added few elements to it while compiling as a story to give a message for the society through it.”

Newcomers like Biswajit Mohapatra, Suvendu Maharana and Rana Digbijay Roul are cast as the lead characters. It also features new faces like Tarun Sargharia, Kundan Bhanj, Sushree Padmaja and Falguni Mohanty in other roles.

“All the actors in this film are from my area in Baripada. In fact, the three friends in this film are my classmates. It took me about five-and-a-half months to complete this Frus 2,” Swaraj said.

Hailing from the same place, Tapas has known Swaraj since he was a kid and used to participate in local plays. While he was working as the chief assistant director of Chandi Parija for the film ‘Rakate Lekhichi Naa’, Swaraj debuted as a child actor. 

And again being the director of ‘Tu Mo Love Story’, Tapas made Swaraj debut as a hero. He said, “Although I have guided him, but I want to mention here that the whole idea is his own. Be it the concept or the making, he has taken all the responsibilities and managed it very well like a true director does. He has a lot to learn, but yes through this film he has proved himself, that he can do better from rest of the newcomer young directors coming up these days.

“From the very beginning, even when he was only 5 years old, we have noticed his enthusiasm towards everything related to art, dance, drama, or film making. Even while he shooting with me as the lead protagonist, I have seen him discussing with my assistants about shooting and film making.” added the director.

Appreciating the concept of the film, Rajesh, who has edited a number of Ollywood films and also worked as associate editor to some Bollywood movies including ‘Guzaarish’, ‘Love Story 2050’, ‘Acid Factory’ and ‘Tere Sang’ said, “I am very happy that from such a young age he is proving himself in each and every field he is working. As it’s his first attempt as a director, I feel he has done a great job. I feel lucky being associated with the beginning of a new journey of Swaraj and I wish he grows more and more with his upcoming projects.”

‘Frus 2’ released on the YouTube channel ‘Kuhu Cine Flicks Official’ on Friday.

Watch the short film here: